Track teams aiming to add more titles

Wachusett’s legacy of track excellence is expected to continue during this winter’s indoor season as the Mountaineer teams boast a mix of veteran runners and talented newcomers. Girls

The girls team is looking to continue the winning tradition of its predecessors, which have garnered 12 consecutive district titles and three out of the last four Class A State titles. Head Coach Brian Wallace knows that it can be a tough act to follow, but believes his team has the right blend of competitors to help round out the field.

On Saturday, the girls competed in the Mid-Wach Wallace Invitational meet held at Fitchburg High School (see related story). An impressive early season performance was turned in by senior Kim Shooshan in the mile (1st, 5:38.7). Shooshan is the defending district champion in the 1,000M (4th All-State, 6th New England) and won the girls’ individual cross country district title this fall. She is also an important part of both the 4x800 and 4x400 relays, two events in which the Wachusett girls are always a dominating force in both the MidWach league and the district.

Senior Heather Cetto, a strong performer for the team in the sprints and the district champion in the 55M last year, did not compete at the Invitational due to injury.

Seniors Amy Bernier (600M), Jenny Pistrang (1,000M) and junior Katherine Banks (mile) also posted excellent times and Wallace noted that they will be strong components of this year’s team. Bernier, Pistrang and Banks could also make appearances as part of Wachusett’s relay teams.

Sophomore newcomers Casey Robertson and Kelly Noonan, and senior Laura Socha will be important additions in the sprints. Also new to the team is freshman Molly Pistrang, a first year varsity runner for the WRHS crosscountry team, who will be a force in the middle distance races along with freshman teammates Madison Rock (middle distance) and Kayle McElroy (sprints). Boys

On the boys’ team, senior Pat Massey, a standout running back for the football team, is the Mountaineers’ top 55M hurdler. Junior Devin Schlichting is one of Wachusett’s top sprinters in the 600M and an accomplished high jumper. Wallace notes that along with his natural speed, Schlichting also has an endurance base developed over the fall cross country season.

Other returning senior sprinters are Tyler Russel, Andrew Carlin and Tom Dowd. Alex Leith (1000M, mile) and J.J. Goolsky (two mile) are coming off of a stellar cross-country season and will be contenders in the distance races.

The team boasts a solid distance group who were also members of the cross country team. Juniors Justin Hunt, John Cox, and sophomores Scott Luro, Brian Vangel and Matt Wood were strong in the mile at the Wallace Invitational.

Wallace says this year’s team has the depth and experience to be very competitive in the Mid-Wach League. He says Lucy Banks (middle distance), Michael O’Malley (sprints), Marty Jordan (distance) and Kevin Briggs (weights) are the best coaching support staff in the district and will give his team an unparalleled advantage.